Carvalhaes, Cláudio

Cláudio Carvalhaes, theologian, liturgist and artist, a native Brazilian, completed his Ph.D. in Liturgy and Theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 2007. He earned his first Master of Philosophy degree in Theology, Philosophy, and History at the Methodist University of Sao Paulo in 1997 and a Master of Divinity degree from the Independent Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Sao Paulo, Brazil) in 1992.

Previously, Dr. Carvalhaes taught at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia as an Associate Professor of Liturgy and Worship and at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Carvalhaes is an ordained teaching elder within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

A much sought after speaker, writer, performer, and consultant, Carvalhaes preached at the Festival of Homiletics, and The Art of Preaching in the 21st Century, at Candler School of Theology. He preached at “Faith and Politics in the Public Square” by Third Institute for Faith and Public Life, at Princeton Theological Seminary;“ “Faith, Race, and Politics”, The Tipple-Vosburgh Lecture Series, Drew Theological Seminary, Presbyterian Youth Triennium; Annual Assembly of the Lutheran New England Synod, Global Institute of Theology of the World Communion of Reformed Churches and led worship and taught at the Hispanic Summer Program in 2013 and 2014.

Carvalhaes is the author of three books in Portuguese, and one in English: "Eucharist and Globalization: Redrawing the Borders of Eucharistic Hospitality" (Wipf@Stock, 2013). His upcoming books are: “What Worship has to do with it? Interpreting Life, Church and the World Liturgically” (Cascade Books, 2015) and “Liturgy in Postcolonial Perspectives - Only One is Holy, Editor, (New York: Palgrave Macmillan: Postcolonialism and Religions Series, 2015).

He has authored chapters in 15 edited volumes along with 33 articles. He has given presentations and delivered sermons at over 30 conferences as well as academic societies.

A member of the American Academy of Religion, the North American Academy of Liturgy and Academy of Homiletics, Dr. Carvalhaes serves on the editorial or advisory board of academic journals, including Cross-Currents, Ecclesial Practices: Journal of Ecclesiology and Ethnography and Postcolonial Studies. Besides the United States, he has lectured in Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Canada, Germany, and Mozambique.

McCormick president Frank Yamada says, “I can think of few leaders in theological education who inspire like Cláudio Carvalhaes. He has been on the cutting edge of cross-cultural worship within the PC(U.S.A.). He is a voice of liberation among communities of color, an advocate for young adults, and a prophetic presence among those who are pushing the church into the 21st century.”